Several days ago we experienced a small under hood fire on our '64K convertible while under restoration. The worst damage was at the main feed wire to the bulkhead connector which had become overheated while operating a power window motor with the battery connected normally and on a charger. Under dash and under hood harnesses were damaged, but the battery and charger were quickly disconnected, putting out the burning insulation. A used dash harness was located and purchased and we are investigating repair vs. replacement of the main engine harness which includes nearly everything under the hood. As we investigated the cause of the fire, we observed corroded and broken strands on the 12 ga. red feed wire to the ammeter and believe this high resistance joint (just before the bulkhead connector) initiated the overheating and subsequent damage to the dash harness. The questions we have are based on the Service Manual wiring diagram for the '64 Chrysler which shows an alternative wiring diagram for the connection between the Battery terminal on the starter relay and a separate terminal block where it meets the 12 ga. red wire feed and the 40 Amp "safety link" to the horn relay. The alternate connection is via wire A-1B, a 16 ga. dark blue wire with tracer and referred to as a "safety link" with no indicated capacity. It is assumed the safety links are fusible links. Our early (Dec) car does not have this valuable safety modification It appears this may have been a mid-year addition/modification-perhaps even a recall type of mod. Questions: Has anyone any knowledge of this alternate wiring? Do you have a car so equipped? If so, can you send a picture? Any thoughts on adding a fusible link or a circuit breaker? Any thoughts on an appropriate rated capacity of the link or circuit breaker? The alternator is rated at 39 Amps, but it is possible and likely that some additional current may be drawn from the battery when alternator output is less than the required load. Loss of this link would result in loss of all the electrical circuits, including ignition, other than the power to the starter/solenoid. Is it common for the fusible/safety link to be a relatively tiny wire (16 ga.)? I would like to hear from '64 Chrysler owners on whether or not their car is equipped with the safety link. Thanks in advance for your observations, experience and knowledge. C-300-K'ly, Rich Barber 1801 Redwine Terrace Brentwood, CA 94513-6000 Home: (925) 513-6583 Cell: (925) 783-4893 e-mail: c300@xxxxxxx [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To send a message to this group, send an email to: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join and select the "Leave Group" button For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylangYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Chrysler300-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Chrysler300-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/